Shrinking snowbanks have Kawartha Conservation eyeing a major spring thaw
After record-breaking snowfall this year and below average temperatures, Kawartha Conservation has been preparing for the late winter and spring thaw.
“We do have a substantial amount of snowpack across our watershed, so we’re watching it closely, but the weather for the next week is still calling for cold weather,” notes Nancy Aspden, director, Integrated Watershed Management of Kawartha Conservation.
“Forecast-wise, we’re still going week to week.”
Aspden says the best-case scenario is to have a very slow rise in temperature during the day and with colder nights.
“Over the next few weeks, if we see a big jump in temperatures through the day, and then a sustained warm temperature during the night, there will be no dropping temperatures to halt the melt,” Aspden explained.
She notes right now we’re sitting at about a 101 millimetres of water in the current snow bank pack. “So with us having a good understanding of that, then like we can kind of anticipate how things might go if we do have a really good warmup period.”
In addition, with the warm temperatures, rain will affect the situation. “Right now, we have a massive snowpack across the watershed. If the scenario occurs with rain and warm temperatures, there’s a heightened risk of a flood scenario.”
Aspden said the Burnt River experienced major flooding in 2013 and 2019. In 2019, the flood was higher, longer and contained more water than any other flood in Kawartha Lakes’ history.
Flood-prone areas within the watershed include the Mariposa Brook (near Little Britain), sections of Omemee and Bobcaygeon and the Jennings Ops drain.
While it may feel like we have been living in a polar vortex for months, Aspden says the ground hasn’t fully froze this year, as it was later in the season that it got cold. That’s a benefit, she says, because the snow is providing insulation.
“Right now without being frozen it is allowing some water to be able to drain.”
For waterfront residents, Aspden urges people to move obstacles that could potentially float away. This includes containers of chemicals and gas which may pollute the watershed if they enter the water.
She suggests protecting homes with sandbags and consulting professionals, like electricity and fuel suppliers, about safely shutting down furnaces and other equipment.
Aspden also notes residents consider installing a sump pump with zero reverse flow valves to pump water out of their basements if needed. A portable generator is a good idea as well, and it’s important to test it before it’s needed.
These measures aren’t just for waterfront residents. With large amounts of snow piled against many homes, basement flooding could also be a concern.
Aspden says Parks Canada and the Trent-Severn Waterway let them know when they are opening locks and pushing water through. “That gives us a good understanding on how we can provide messaging to our watershed residents.”
“Flood forecasting is one of the most important services that Kawartha Conservation provides to our residents and member municipalities.”
She recommends residents bookmark Kawartha Conservation’s Flood Forecasting and Warning webpage. The site provides up-to-date information on flooding in our watershed.
